A Diva Touchdown

Sports, value and southern cooking attracted the Divas to Lee Roy Selmon’s – a sports restaurant with deep-rooted southern recipes, many from Lee Roy’s mother.
Lee Roy, youngest of 9, lived on a farm in Oklahoma appreciating home cooking and fresh ingredients they gathered directly from the land. Lee Roy, a #1 draft pick, spent his 10-year professional sports career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, after which they retired his #63 jersey. (Note ‘63’ next to the family recipes – took Divas a while to figure that one out!). He was inducted into both the College and NFL Hall of Fames. The restaurant slogan, “Play hard. Eat Well. And don’t forget to share” reflects Lee Roy – the athlete, restaurateur, family man and community leader.
There was a wait for tables the night we were there, but the veranda seating was a great place to hang out and sample some ‘Play List’ drink specialties.
On the Divas lineup was:
#1: Smokin’ Tampa Tea (yeah, it really smokes!)
#2: Patron Lemonade – a smooth combination with Patron Silver Tequila, Citronge and fresh squeezed lemonade
#3: Passion Fruit Martini
#4: Classic Mojito
#5: Selmon’s Bloody Mary made with their secret infused vodka and served with a lazy susan of garnishes: horseradish, Worcestershire, celery salt and 3 different hot sauces. Almost a meal on its own.
#6: For Designated Driver Diva – fresh squeezed lemonade. And when they say fresh, they mean fresh!
Before we could finish the lineup, we were seated. Don’t be misled – this is NOT a sports bar. It feels more like a steakhouse but with most entrees under $15. The restaurant is split into two sections – restaurant seating and the lounge with high top tables. The lighting was complimentary and there were 19 non intrusive televisions. Sporty Divas could enjoy sporting events and Yakky Divas could converse. Sporty Divas thought this was definitely a great place for NCAA action.
After browsing the menu we were delightfully surprised to see that it fit into the Diva budgets quite well. Our wonderful server, Coach Graham, explained that Lee Roy & Company had cut prices, but not portions and quality, in consideration of today’s economy (many dinner entries are $9.99). We were really hungry, so…. get ready…. and don’t be shocked by our unDiva-like appetites.......We ordered: the Hall of Fame Ribs, (63)Fried Green Tomatoes kicked up with their garlic horseradish aioli sauce (divalicious!), Smokin’ Quesadillas with pulled pork drizzled with BBQ sauce and a side of BBQ sour cream and fresh salsa, Kickin’ Queso served with warm tortilla chips (OMG – chorizo sausage, sautéed with fresh bell peppers, jalapenos blended in a creamy cheese sauce, served with warm chips – very unDiva like), (63)Selmon Brothers Wings – marinated and slow cooked and grilled, not fried and served with their spicy Oklahoma Sauce, chips and guacamole, (63) Mama Selmon’s Cajun Gumbo, (63)Mama’s Meatloaf with decadent smashed potatoes and a mushroom herbed gravy, Idaho Rainbow Trout, (63)SweetHeat Fried Chicken Sandwich. All BBQ entrees come with Lee Roy’s 4 Signature Sauces – Tangy, Spicy, Zesty and Thick. On the sidelines we had cheese and bacon grits, greens medley, home style baked beans, and corn bread casserole. WOW.....This was southern soul satisfying comfort food at its best!
Coach Graham was awesome and when it came time to ordering dessert, he suggested one of each. And why not, we had gone this far. Let’s do it for the home team! …. Georgia Peach Cobbler with vanilla ice cream, (63)Selmon’s Bread Pudding, Melt in Ya’ Mouth Pecan Pie, and Chocolate Rush – 5 decadent layers of chocolate cake with mousse filling and fudge icing. OMG! If your favorite team is playing (and even if they’re not) and you’re looking for real value, this is the place to head!

The night was a Touchdown!

Lee Roy Selmon’s Restaurant, 8253 Cooper Creek Blvd, Sarasota 941-360-3287And also located at 6510 Cortez Road, Bradenton 941- 798-3287